Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday denied there was a shortage of LPG cylinders for domestic consumers. Stating that there was only a supply problem of commercial LPG cylinders, he said people should not panic and stand in queues.Sawant said that state govt was in touch with Union govt, which has constituted a three-member committee to look into the issue. “We will tackle the issue,” the CM said. Leader of opposition Yuri Alemao said that people were scared, and that panic-buying of LPG cylinders was witnessed in many places.The Centre on Wednesday night had a meeting with state chief secretaries and DGPs, and told to check black marketing and hoarding of cooking gas cylinders. States were also told to ensure that fears of scarcity do not turn into a law and order issue. Chief secretary V Candavelou reviewed the supply situation in the state with representatives of IOCL, HPCL and BPCL and other officials.Amid concerns over the availability of cooking gas, he asserted that the overall situation in the state was good.The chief secretary, underscored the need to disseminate correct information to the public to allay fears and told the district collectors to issue directions. Representatives of the oil marketing companies apprised the chief secretary of the current situation and stock at their disposal. They said that certain restrictions were being imposed on the use of LPG by commercial establishments to safeguard domestic availability. However, they clarified that priority consumers such as defence, educational institutions and hospitals were exempt from the restrictions.
